Superphosphate manufacturing plant



Nov. 28, 1950 E. A. WERNER SUPERPHOSPHTE MNUFACTURING PLANT 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 25, 1946 Nov. 28, 1950 A. WERNER 2,531,798

SUPERPHOSPHATE MANUFACTURING PLANT Filed July 25, -1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Edward A. Werner, Atlanta, Ga.

Application July 25, 1946, Serial No. 686,104

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in manufacturing plants for acid or superphosphate, and a primary object of the invention is to provide a manufacturing plant of this type oi generally improved functional design and construction.`

More specically, an object of the invention is to provide a superphosphate manufacturing plant exhibiting a relatively high degree of economy in construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a superphosphate manufacturing plant wherein the work material may be handled faster and more economically than in plants constructed in accordance with prior design.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plant of the stated type affording a relatively high degree of ilexibility in the handling of the superphosphate materials and in the various manipulations involved in the production and disposal of the end product.

The invention resides further in certain structural details and arrangements hereinafter described and illustrated in the attached drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic sectional plan view of a plant constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3,'Fig. l.

With reference to the drawing, the plant comprises a main building designated generally by the reference numeral l and consisting essentially of longitudinal side walls 2 and 3 and end walls 4 and 5 respectively. The transverse and longitudinal sectional forms of this building are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. As therein indicated the building is provided also with a roof 6. At one end of this building is an extension? which is somewhat oli-set from the main structure and which comprises side walls 18 and 9 and end walls IIand I 2, this extension alsohaving a roof I3. The end wall II constitutes in eiiect a continuation of the end wall 5 of the main building.

At each side of the main building I and extending within and substantially parallel to the side walls 2 and 3 of this building is an elevated rail track, these tracks being designated respectively by the reference numerals I4 and I5. Both tracks pass through suitable openings I6 and Il in the end wall 4, and at the outside of the building the track I5 extends transversely to join the track I4 so that, in effect, the track I5 constitutes a branch of the track I4. A second branch 2 the building opposite the wall 2. The track I4 terminates in the present instance within the building at a point adjacent the end wall 5. The track I5 on the other hand extends through a suitable opening I9 in the end wall 5 into the interior of the extension 7.

With reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the tracks I4 and I5 are supported upon trestles, each trestle consisting in the present instance of a series of pillars, 2| and 22 respectively, and beams 23 and 24 which extend from the pillars ZI and 22 to up-rights 25 and 26 which may or may not constitute a part of the xed framework of the building. Preferably the lip-rights 25 and 26 are independent of the building structure to the extent at least that the structure need be heavier in no substantial degree than required for the normal function. In such oase the building structure per se may be relatively light and inexpensive.

The elevated tracks id, I5, and Il are adapted for reception of a boom crane, or cranes, 21 as illustrated in Figs. l and 3 and in broken lines in Fig. 2, and the building and the location there in of the tracks are such that the boom oi a crane on either of the tracks I4 and I5 may sweep in excess of one longitudinal half of the building I as well illustrated in Fig. 2.

Located within the building i adjacent the wall 5 and extending in the present instance longitudinally and centrally of the building is a series of dens 28, these dens being three in number in the present instance. Mounted above the dens on rails 29 is a transfer car 3| which carries a weighing hopper 32 for the powdered phosphate rock, an acid weighing boot 35, and a Wet mixer 35 which receives the measured portions of the rock and acid from the hopper 32 and boot 35 respectively and after thoroughly mixing these materials passes the resulting superphosphate to the said dens. The car 3l may be moved on the rails 2a to positions over the respective dens for depositing the superphosphate in the latter as desired.

The hopper 32 receives the phosphate rock dust from a bin 37 which overlies the rails 29 I8 extends at the outside and longitudinally oi. 55

and wfhich is provided with valve controlled chutes Sil- 38, one of which chutes is located over each of the dens as illustrated in a position to deposit the dust in the hopper 32 when the latter is moved to a position above the associated den. The bin 3l receives the rock dust from a separator 39 by way of a screw conveyor 4I at the bottom of the separator. This separator may be of the conventional cyclone type 'from the pits 5! and` 52' to the hopper 45.

having connected thereto an inlet duct 42 and discharge duct Q3. The separator is located above the roof 35 of the building l and the duct l2 extends downwardly through the roof I3 of the extension 'l and is connected to the top of a rock pulverizer 45 installed within the extension chamber 1. This pulverizer receives the phosphate rock from an overhead hopper d5, also within the extension l, and the rock dust is transferred from the pulverizer M by a fan or blower E having its suction port connected by way of the discharge duct i3 with the separator 3S as indicated.

Entering the extension chamber 1 through the Wall I2 thereof is a pair of rail tracks 48 and 49 and adjoining each of the tracks within theV said chamber is a pit, and 52 respectively, these pits being positioned so that they may receive phosphate rock discharged from rail cars 53- and 54 on the tracks i8 and i592 respectively. The said tracks are connected to a siding 55 which extends at one side of and longitudinally of the plant and which in turn connects with a main rail line 56. The terminal end of the elevated track I5 within the extension chamber 'I is located withl respect to the pits 5i and' 52 so that a boom crane 21 when positioned on the said terminal end portion of the track may operate to empty each of the pits of its' rock content and to deposit the said contents into the hopper 45. In operation the rock thus transferred to the hopper is discharged from the latter into the rock mill 413 where it is ground to fine particles which are then withdrawn through the pipe i2 to the separator 39. The separator 39- deposits the pulverized rock into the conveyor lil, the air stream from which the particles have been separated in the separator Se being withdrawn through the pipe d3. The dust is transferred by the conveyor 4l to the bin 3i' from which it may be passed to the Weighing hopper 32 for subsequent admixture with the acid drawn from the boot 35. The resulting superphosphate is deposited in the dens 28 as previously described.

Subsequently, in accordance with the conventional practice, the superphosphate is removed from the dens by use of the crane and bucket and piled for storage within the building l', a pile thus stored within the building being deposited according to its natural angle of repose and is illustrated in Fig. 2. The removal of the superphosphate from the dens tothe storage pile is a function of the boom crane or cranes 2l' operating on the rails it and i5.

space at the sides of the dens 28 and to the end wall 5 which is constructed as abulkhead to withstand the strain ofY the pile imposed thereon.

Within the building l, at the opposite end from the dens 28, is a set ofstorage bins 5l and a mixer 58 through the medium of which thesuperphosphate removed from the storage pile 53 may be' mixed with other suitable materials to form a balanced fertilizer. The nished product thus produced is bagged and may then be' loaded for transportation upon a rail car 59 on the siding' 55, a loading platform 6l beingV provided at the side of the building l` as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that in the aforedescribed' system of handling and: storing the work materials the boom crane 2 does substantially all of the transfer work. It transfers the raw rock material Itthen functions to' remove the superphosphate after asuitablev period from: the dens 28- to the It is to be noted that thek storage pile of the phosphate may extend to the" storage pile 53. From the storage pile 53 the crane transfers the superphosphate to the mixing bins 5l and mixer 58. With the arrangement shown it is possible for the crane or cranes to reclaim substantially all (approximately 93%) of the superphosphate from the storage pile 53.

I claim:

1. In a superphosphate manufacturing plant, a building housing the essential elements of the plant including a den, apparatus for delivering acidulated phosphate rock material to the den, and storage space for the superphosphate end product, the width of said building being substantially such as to accommodate between the side walls thereof the base of a pile of the superphosphate end product which at normal angle of repose will extend well toward the top of the building, a track extending along one side wall in an elevated position Well below the level of the top of said pile but clear of the inclined side of the latter, and a mobile boom crane mounted for travel onsaid track and having an effective operational range embracing both the den and storage areas, said crane being thereby operative to' buildl said pile, by transfer of the superphosphate product from the den to the storage area, and to reclaim from the pile substantially all of said product.

2. A superphosphate manufacturing plant according to claimI 2 wherein the said track is supported on a trestle, the support elements of said trestl'e more remote to said wall lying Within the area embraced by said pile.

3. A superphosphate manufacturing plant according to claim l wherein the elevated tracks for the boom crane extend along both side walls of the building to correspondingly increase the size oi the area within the operational range of said crane.

Ll. In a superphosphate manufacturing plant, a structure housing the essential' elements of the plant including a den, apparatus for a'cidulating phosphate rock material and for delivering said acidu-lated material to the den, a supply source for phosphate rock means including an elevated' hopper for conducting thev rock material tothe acidulating' apparatus, storage space' for the superphosphate end product, the width of said structure being' such as to accommodate between the sidesV thereof the'ba'se of a pile of the superphosphate end product which at the normal angle of repose will extend well toward theY top' of the said structure, a track extending along a sid'e of the structure in an elevated position Well below the top-but clear of the inclined Side ofs'aid pile, and a mobile boom crane mounted' for travel on said track and having an effective operational range* embracing the' den, the storage area, the said source of supply, and" the elevated hopper, said crane being thereby operative to transfer rock material from said source to the hopper, tov build saidk pile by transfer of the superphosphate product from the den t"o` the storage area, and-to reclaim substantially all ofthe said product from said pile.

5. In a superphosphate manufacturing,y plant, abuilding enclosing a storage area for the superphosphate an'd having a width toaccommodate between the confronting sides thereof the base of a pile of said: superphosphate which at normalV angle of repose extends well towardA the top ofv said' building, a track extendingalongeach side ofn saidv area in an elevated position well below the top of saidfbuilding and of said p`ile`lo'utV clear of the sidesof the latter, meansf'or interconnecting said tracks, den means, an unloading area at one end of said building, grinding mechanism including an elevated feed hopper, acidulating apparatus, means for transferring ground phosphate rock from the said mechanism to the acidulating apparatus and from said apparatus to the den means, a mobile crane mounted for travel on the tracks, said crane having an operational range embracing the unloading area and feed hopper for transfer of rock from the former to the latter, and embracing also the den means and substantially all of the storage area for transfer of the superphosphate material from said means to the storage pile and for reclamation of substantially all of the said material from said pile.

6. In a superphosphate manufacturing plant, a building housing essential elements of the plant including a den, acidulating apparatus and means for delivering acidulated phosphate rock from said apparatus to the den, and storage space for the superphosphate end product, the width of said building being substantially such as to accommodate between the side Walls thereof the base of a pile of the superphosphate end product which at normal angle of repose will extend well toward the top of the building, a track extending along at leastl one side wall of the building in an elevated position well below the level of the top of said pile but clear of the inclined side of the latter, one at least of said tracks being extended through an opening in an end wall of said building, a supply source for phosphate rock external to the building in the area of the said track extension, a crusher mounted also externally of the building and in said area, means for transferring crushed rock from the crusher to the acidulating apparatus within the building, and a mobile boom crane mounted for travel on said track and having an eiective operational range embracing the den, the storage area, the said rock source and the Crusher, and being thereby operative to transfer rock material from the said source to the crusher externally of the building, to transfer the superphosphate product within the building from the den to the storage area, and to reclaim substantially all of the said product from said pile.

7. A superphosphate manufacturing plant according to claim 6 wherein an elevated feed hopper is associated with the Crusher externally of the building and within the operational range of the boom crane whereby the crane may operate to transfer the rock from the supply source to the hopper.

8. A superphosphate manufacturing plant according to claim 6 wherein the rock source and the crusher are housed in a structure outside of said building and into which the said track extends.

9. In a superphosphate manufacturing plant, a building housing essential elements of the plant including a den, a bin for crushed phosphate rock overlying the top of said den, acidulating apparatus interposed between the bin and the top of said den and constituting a medium for transfer of the crushed rock from the bin to the den, and storage space for the superphosphate end product, the width of said building being substantial- 1y such as to accommodate between the side walls thereof the base of a pile of the superphosphate end product which at normal angle of repose will extend well toward the top of the building, a track extending along at least one of the side walls of the building in an elevated position well below the top of said pile but clear of the inclined side of the latter, and a mobile boom crane mounted for travel on said track and having an effective operational range embracing both the den and storage areas, said crane being operative to build said pile by transfer of the superphosphate product from the den to the storage area, and to reclaim from the pile substantially all of said product.

lo. A superphosphate manufacturing plant according to claim 9 wherein the tracks extend along both side walls of the building and are connected for transfer of the boom crane selectively from one of the tracks to the other.

11. A superphosphate manufacturing plant according to claim 9 wherein the acidulating apparatus occupies a position close to the top of the den and wherein also means is provided for shifting the said apparatus transversely to one side of the den to afford space for operation of the crane in transferring the acidulated product from the den to the storage pile.

EDWARD A. WERNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,335,455 Stuart Mar. 30, 1920 2,061,567 Facer Nov. 24, 1936 OTHER REFERENCES Parish et al., Artificial Fertilizers, D. Van Nostrand C0., N. Y. (1927), pages 176, 177, 198-200.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,531,7' 98 November 28, 1950 EDWARD A. WERNER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 30, for the claim reference numeral 2 read 1;

ase in the Patent OHice. f February, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

1. IN A SUPERPHOSPHATE MANUFACTURING PLANT, A BUILDING HOUSING THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE PLANT INCLUDING A DEN, APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING ACIDULATED PHOSPHATE ROCK MATERIAL TO THE DEN, AND STORAGE SPACE FOR THE SUPERPHOSPHATE END PRODUCT, THE WIDTH OF SAID BUILDING BEING SUBSTANTIALLY SUCH AS TO ACCOMMODATE BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS THEREOF THE BASE OF A PILE OF THE SUPERPHOSPHATE END PRODUCT WHICH AT NORMAL ANGLE OF REPOSE WILL EXTEND WELL TOWARD THE TOP OF THE BUILDING, A TRACK EXTNEDING ALONG ONE SIDE WALL IN AN ELEVATED POSITION WELL BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE TOP OF SAID PILE BUT CLEAR OF THE INCLINED SIDE OF THE LATTER, AND A MOBILE BOOM CRANE MOUNTED FOR TRAVEL ON SAID TRACK AND HAVING AN EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL RANGE EMBRACING BOTH THE DEN AND STORAGE AREAS, SAID CRANE BEING THEREBY OPERATIVE TO BUILD SAID PILE, BY TRANSFER OF THE SUPERPHOSPHATE PRODUCT FROM THE DEN TO THE STORAGE AREA, AND TO RECLAIM FROM THE PILE SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF SAID PRODUCT. 